Hooded Warbler Habitat (Where to look)
Hooded Warbler Breeding Habitat
- found in both the interior and edges of mature, riparian (wet), deciduous forest with dense understory
- understory plants commonly found in Hooded Warbler habitat: rhododendron, barberry, viburnum, mountain laurel, and spicebush
- shrubby forest edge plants commonly found in Hooded Warbler habitat: blackberry thickets, hawthorn thickets, and non-native multiflora rose
- may favor nesting on hillside terrain within mature forest
- often found in shrubby openings in the forest canopy, such as tree-fall gaps
Hooded Warbler Migratory Habitat
- like most warblers - will be most visible over the spring/fall migration periods (May/June and September/October)
- even during migration will favor dense forest understory and forest edge brush
Hooded Warbler Behavior (What to look for)
- frequently twitches tail and exposes white outer tail feathers
- forages at eye level or lower - rarely high in tree - in fact, check understory/shrubbery before trees
- males do move into trees to sing
- shy, skulking bird - often seen only partially - view is usually obstructed by dense understory
- moves quickly from shrub to shrub - always on the move
- males may return to same breeding grounds year after year
- spends more time foraging on the ground than most warblers - often inspecting leaf litter
Notes from Anonymous Birders
“larger than most warblers”
“usually have to go within forest to find one”
“definitely check gaps within the forest near a water source”
“a bird of the shadows”
Indicator Species
Ovenbird, Veery, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler
Good Luck!
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